How did you know there was a market for it?

The growth in farmers markets and foodie festivals has increased significantly, there are now over 3,500 small-scale producers and farmers within the UK ‘doing their thing’.

On top of this, 80% of us now actively seeking to understand where our food and drink comes from so it felt like this was the right time to launch.

What were you doing before starting up?

I was on maternity leave changing nappies!

Have you always wanted to run your own business?

Yes! It’s always been a dream to run my own business and create something for others to enjoy.

How did you raise the money?

I have funded it myself with just £1,500.

Describe your business model and how you make money:

The business is set up as a marketplace so I take a commission from each sale.

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

Many! Although I’d worked as a buyer in retail, I had to teach myself about building websites, SEO, and the financial side of a small business.

There will be many more hurdles to come, but I enjoy the learning curve.

What was your first big breakthrough?

My first big break hasn’t arrived yet as it’s such early days, but I do know that I’m working with some amazing award-winning British producers and farmers so that’s definitely a step in the right direction.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

I spent many years with multiple ideas but taking the step to launch was a real mental barrier for me. I think the fear-of-failure of not realising my dream held me back.

So, my advice would be: if you believe in yourself and your idea, just go for it! What have you got to lose?!

Where do you want to be in five years’ time?

I want farmshoplarder.com to be a well-known brand and be the online destination for unique British food and drink from small-scale producers.

I would love to be able to offer customers another channel to shop via a physical farmshop, encompassing a cafe and bistro serving all the wonderful produce we offer online.